The Trip

I got up early to prepare my bag and then I went to the bathroom to take a warm shower and put on comfortable clothes. It will be a long journey from Cairo to the station, it will take 9 to 10 hours by car.

Then I headed to the college to meet with my friends to take the car that will take us to our destination

I got to the college yard to find both of (Adel) and (Osama) waiting in boredom, and it seems that the driver has not arrived yet.

as soon as (Adel) notice me he shouted, "Have you brought the falafel sandwiches, you know I can't travel on an empty stomach"

I give him my bag and And I told him, "You bring it, I have something important to do."

(Osama) said "What is that?"

(Adel) answered him "Of course he will go to say goodbye to his beloved, Miss (Zahra)."

(Adel) looked at me and said , "Okay go to her and get her face engraved in your memory, Buddy, it seems we won't be back any time soon.".

...

I left them and went straight to her office, and when I arrived and knocked on the door, she looked away from the computer screen to look at me, with a smile on her face.

then she said to me, "Hello Salem, I was on my way to you to say goodbye, but here you are.."

To tell her, "I came for the same reason, to say goodbye."

She blushed and opened her handbag and pulled out a green woolen scarf

Then she got up from her desk and stood in front of me and looked at me shyly and said, "Please accept this simple gift from me, it's a scarf in your favorite color, I know it's going to be very cold out there at night so....I hope you remember me when you wear it."

I said to her While I was looking into her eye, "I...I am flattered, thank you (Zahra). I mean Miss (Zahra) and of course I will remember you, it is hard to forget you."

I reached out to her outstretched hand and took the scarf from her and put it around my neck and muttered, "Thank you."

She smiled and said to me, "Take care of yourself and come back to me safely.. I mean come back to us all safely."

I replied, "I will, and when I come back I want to tell you...."

I was interrupted by the sound of knocking at the door and a man in his mid-thirties entered, with light brown skin, brown eyes, and curly black hair and wearing a black coat.

To say, "Hello, I am (jamal) the driver who will take the team to the research station. The Dean has asked to meet me before leaving."

So Miss (Zahra) went to her office and pressed the button on the intercom and said, "Mr. (Azmi), the driver who will pick up the team, has arrived." The dean replied, "Okay, let him come in."

The man entered the dean's office, leaving me and Miss (Zahra) after spoiling that moment between us.

Miss (Zahra) said "You were saying something ?!"

To tell her, "No, nothing, you seem busy now. We'll continue our conversation when I get back. Bye."

She looked at me and sighed, "Okay, I'll be waiting for you. Bye."

Then I went out of the office, and I wanted to slap my face so hard, why did I hesitate and did not tell her, Salem You're such an idiot!

...

I went straight ahead, To the college yard to my friends to find them near a black car that seems to be the remnants of World War II

As soon as I approached (Adel) , I found him pointing at the car and saying sarcastically, "Salem, look…at this luxury car, this car is supposed to take us in the desert, before it comes apart piece by piece."

Osama sarcastically says, "If we go by bikes, we might get there faster."

To say, "You always deny the generosity of the Dean,

How ungrateful

(Adel) looked at me, or not specifically at me, but focused on the scarf around my neck

He said in the tone of a private detective

"Um, what do we have here?

An olive green scarf wrapped around the neck of my friend (Salem), did it appear out of nowhere?

Of course not, it seems someone gave it to you, but who?"

Osama replies, "Yes, Mr detective , tell us, who is this mysterious person?"

(Adel) continued "okay... I will tell you who he is or who she is, it's Miss (Zahra), case closed."

the audience applaud , I mean (Osama) and (Adel) chanted "Thank you, thank you."

And all this while I want to strangle Adel with my bare hands

Apparently, Adel felt my intention to strangle him

he was saved by the driver who came and stood in front of us and said, "Mr. (Adel) Mr. (Osama) did you put your luggage in the trunk of the car?"

(Adel) answer him "Yes, of course "

Then (Jamal) looks at me and shakes my hand saying, "You are of course Mr. Salem."

then (Jamal) went quickly to ignite the car, saying, "Please get in, so we don't get late."

I sat in the front seat and (Adel) and (Osama) sat in the back seats

Adel says, "Mr. Jamal, are you sure this car will take us to our destination?"

Jamal answered him confidently, "Of course, it may be old, but it will take us there in no time."

...

few moments later

Jamal sticks his head out of the car window, shouting "Push...Push a little more" as he tries to ignite the car.

(Adel) stick his head out and look at us and say, "Go on, heroes, there are only a few hundred kilometers left."

. Engine ignites .

"Get in the car!" Jamal shouts.

After we got into the car, Jamal looked at the road and continued driving

His forehead sweats as he says in an embarrassed tone, "This is the first time the car has done it."

Adel takes out three falafel sandwiches and hands me one and gives ( osama) the other.

And while he's chewing his sandwich

He shouted, "Where's my pickle?

We burst out laughing and we no longer think of anything but the unknown that awaits us